Robert Downey Jr On "The Dark Knight": "Fuck DC Comics"

Robert Downey Jr gave a lengthy interview, promoting his hilarious turn in "Tropic Thunder," to moviehole.net. Later in the interview, via a discussion of "iron Man's" success, the topic of "The Dark Knight" came up, and Downey didn't mince words .

Here's what he said:

"Iron Man 2" is a topic of conversation, as he and Favreau are currently collaborating on a story for the much anticipated sequel. "Now Justin Theraux who wrote 'Tropic Thunder', is writing it and Jon and I are working on the story with him. It's pretty great and I think it's going to be cool. I think it's going to appropriately well thought out so that we don't forget what got us the response that we appreciated so much, which is, we didn't say, 'Great, now that this is like this, now we're going to twist it and do this with it.' It's now; I'm not saying we're going to do bits. I think more of the same; it is a very rich feel, because it was a very simple movie, if you ask me. It was an origin story."

Which apparently was not the case with the other big summer movie "The Dark Knight". "My whole thing is that that I saw 'The Dark Knight'. I feel like I'm dumb because I feel like I don't get how many things that are so smart. It's like a Ferrari engine of storytelling and script writing and I'm like, 'That's not my idea of what I want to see in a movie.' I loved 'The Prestige' but didn't understand 'The Dark Knight'. Didn't get it, still can't tell you what happened in the movie, what happened to the character and in the end they need him to be a bad guy. I'm like, 'I get it. This is so high brow and so f--king smart, I clearly need a college education to understand this movie.' You know what? F-ck DC comics. That's all I have to say and that's where I'm really coming from."

Well clearly Downey isn't about to do anything for DC Comics anytime soon. "You know, you're never too old to burn your bridges because I believe I have offended everyone," he says, laughingly. "I think I've got a couple more. 'I'll burn that bridge when I come to it' is my favourite phrase I've ever coined."

Whole interview here

Comments

[politricking]

I like Marvel, I like DC.

Seems to me Downey might be a wee bit jealous since Batman pretty much erased Iron Man (which I enjoyed) this summer.

I liked what Favreau and Nolan did with both films.

[jialfpar]

"Ill burn that bridge when I come to it" is something I heard long ago and not from Mr. Downey. Next he'll be telling us he invented the internet. What an ego.

[innerealm]

That's right, Jialfpar, I invented that saying myself back in 1982.

[laughinggnome]

C'mon DC, bring on your many Vertigo titles like "Sandman" , "Y the Last Man" and "The Preacher."

[darthmaul]

Anybody that knows anything knows that the Dark Knight rules. Iron Man is just a Tin Can Crackpot holding a few loose screws. It's the perfect vehicle for Downey.

[jOke]

DOWNEY IS THE F-KING MAN!!!!!!!!! ENOUGH SAID..

[LeftVetPatriot]

Yup.

[protagonia]

Whatever Robert intended this to be, it worked, controversy and all.

[Passenger57]

No,no,I'm sorry - I got the title wrong...it­'s "The AssClown". "Asshat" was the working title.

[Passenger57]

I hear that Downey is going to play another superhero.­..The Asshat.

[YouDisgustMe]

i think he's going to do that one really well...

[spiderbucket]

I'd say that the only super hero movies that are not pretty lame are the new Bale Batman films and Unbreakable so far. X-Men, Spiderman, Iron Man are passable and the rest just suck. And I'm a fan of the genre from way back when I was a kid. And all Superman films are turds.

[ChristianEcon.com]

"And all Superman films are turds."

I thought "Superman Returns" was close to the comics version and well done. I loved Iron Man. The rest I've seen were crap. Dark Knight was just a bunch of effects and noise, except Heath's Joker was sort of interesting and original.

[andvoodoo2]

Downey didn't get "Dark Knight", huh? Why am I not surprised? I'm sure it was the absence of drug use, profanity and gratuitous nudity that left him baffled.

[MikeDu]

This an old story. Marvel comics and DC have always butted heads. I recall Marvel comics-reading kids saying precisely the same thing about DC back in 1965. Like oil and water.

[LeftLeanWing]

I know.... I was one of those kids.

[ThermoChemist]

As was I !

PERSONALLY, in regards to the Marvel vs. DC universe, I sort of compare it to the Star Trek vs. Star Wars universe. Many critics cite Star Trek as being more cerebral / techy; while Star Wars is seen as being more fantasy / juvenile.

[1] I always saw characters in the DC world as being lame -- lame names, lame powers, lame stories. The Wonder Twins? Aquaman? The Atom? Black Canary? Blue Beetle?

There are some exceptions (my DC favorites): Superman, Batman; for example.

DC villains, IMHO, were somewhat lame: Bizarro, The Riddler, The Penguin, The Prankster, Mr. Mxyzptlk.

[2] I always thought of characters in the Marvel Universe as being more "well developed" and interesting. Spiderman, The Hulk, Captain America, The SubMariner, The Silver Surfer, Thor, the FF...! Though, to be fair, there were some lame Marvel characters, as well: The Beetle, The Fly.

They often brought more depth to the characters by trying to relate them to the "every man", with "every man" problems. [Peter Parker worried about making the rent; the FF often fought family problems as well as villians.]

As for villains, IMHO, Marvel always had the best / better ones -- Galactus, Dr. Doom, Magneto, Ultron.

Some may not remember, but there was once a crossover series where heroes from both universes squared off against their counterparts:

Aquaman defeats The SubMariner, Elektra defeats Catwoman, Flash defeats QuickSilver, Thor defeats Captain Marvel, Superman defeats The Hulk, Batman defeats Captain America.

[onlinesavant]

I don't get it. I just appreciate good stories. I read stuff from Marvel, to Image, to Wildstorm, and a little DC. In addition to story lines from smaller independants (Like Avatar. Black Summer Rules!!!!!). To me, a good story is a good story. Does'nt matter where it comes from. Anyone who take this whole "My comic producers line is better than your etc... is really just being immature. Funny thing is, Downey probably isn't being serious about this. He probably would have jumped at the chance to play Bruce Wayne if it was offered to him (After all, a job is a job.). So my guess is, he's just trying to play us all for suckers. Don't be suckers!!!!

[snow]

I had my hands over my eyes and ears for most of TDK, so I'can't say much about the plot, character, story (or lack of)..."...­Burn that bridge when I come to it..." Brilliant.

For more vintage Downey, see his tribute to WarrenBeatty at the AFI awards.
(on Youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uArXRuyqkZ8)

Based on Beatty's reaction, it seemed even he was impressed.

[HatingTheGame]

I didn't like the special effects on DK. If they had the POW, BONG, ZOINK graphics, then it would have been cool. Like the real Batman and Robin. Now that was AWESOME, even with the gay friendly subtext.

LOL

[falgiano]

Downey's a trip. funny comments. i don't disagree with him that Dark Knight has some plot problems, especially the end, but the intensity of DK is unmatched in the comic movies genre. Ledger and Bale were terrific, and took it as far as the script allowed. Iron Man was great and uplifting for a whole different set of reasons and a completely different tone. they were both smart and enjoyable for different reasons.

[GregSolo]

Robert Downey Jr = Awesome
Iron Man = Awesome
Batman Begins & The Dark Knight = Awesome
DC Comics & Marvel = Awesome

[JMBrodie]

Agreed. And Downey is a hoot. Love that guy, especially how he has turned his life around.

[BlueZoo]

Downey has "turned his life around?" From this interview, I'd say he's back into ALL his old habits!